APPENDICES

A. AGENDA

1. Opening of the Session

2. Adoption of the Agenda and arrangements for the Session

3. Inter-sessional activities of APFIC

4. Overview - status and potential of fisheries and aquaculture in Asia and the Pacific

5. Report of the APFIC Executive Committee

6. The new APFIC - APFIC's potential as a consultative forum for fishery issues

7. Regional arrangements for fisheries - an analysis of gaps and opportunities

8. Work Plan 2004-2010

9. Other matters

a) Regional implementation of the Strategy on Status and Trends Reporting in Capture Fisheries

b) Main outcomes of the Technical Consultations of the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and Fishing Capacity and on Subsidies in the Fisheries Sector, Rome, Italy, 24 June - 2 July 2004

c) Presentation by Regional Organizations

10. Election of Officers

11. Date and Place of the Twenty-ninth Session of APFIC

12. Adoption of the Report

B. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

MEMBER COUNTRIES

Australia

SIMON WILKINSON
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
G.P.O. Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel. No.: +66-09-2254079
Fax No.: +66-2-5611728
E-mail: [email protected]

Bangladesh

ASAD ALAM SIAM
First Secretary Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
House No. 727, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor)
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-3929437-8
Fax No.: +66-2-3918070
E-mail: [email protected]

Cambodia

NAO THUOK
Director-General
Department of Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
P.O. Box 582
186, Norodom Blvd. Phnom Penh
Tel. No.: +855-12-404727
Fax No.: +855-23-215796
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

China, People's Republic of

France

India

P.K. PATTANAIK
Joint Secretary (Fisheries)
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying,
Ministry of Agriculture
Room No. 221, Krishi Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
Tel. No.: +091-11-23381994
Fax No.: +091-11-23070370
E-mail: [email protected]

Indonesia

PARLIN TAMBUNAN
Director of Fishery Resources
Directorate General of Capture Fisheries
Jalan Harsono, Rm No. 3
Ragunan, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta
Tel./Fax No.: +62-21-7811672
E-mail: [email protected]

NOORMAN EFFENDI
Third Secretary (Economics)
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
600-602 Petchburi Road
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-2523135-40 ext 131
Fax No.: +66-2-2551267
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

Japan

TETSUYA KAWASHIMA
Assistant Director
International Affairs Division
Fisheries Agency
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8907
Tel. No.: +81-3-35043995
Fax No.: +81-3-35020571
E-mail: [email protected]

Republic of Korea

HYUN-JONG KIM
Deputy Director
International Cooperation Office
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
50 Chungjeong No. 3
Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-715
Tel. No.: +82-2-31486992
Fax No.: +82-2-31486996
E-mail: [email protected]

JONG-KWAN AHN
Assistant Director
Distant Water Fisheries Division
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
50 Chungjeong No. 3
Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-715
Tel. No.: +82-2-31486982
Fax No.: +82-2-31486985
E-mail: [email protected]

Malaysia

IBRAHIM BIN SALEH
Deputy Director-General
Department of Fisheries Malaysia
Ministry of Agriculture
Jalan Sultan Salahuddin
50628 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. No.: +603-26987171
Fax No.: +603-26942984
E-mail: [email protected]

Myanmar

U HLA WIN
Deputy Director-General
Department of Fisheries
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
Sin Min Road, Ablone Township
Yangon
Myanmar
Tel. No.: +95-01-228621
Fax No.: +95-01-228258
E-mail: [email protected]

Nepal

D. B. SWAR
Deputy Director-General
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk, Kathmandu
Tel. No.: +977-1-5521127
Fax No.: +977-1-5524093
E-mail: [email protected]

New Zealand

Pakistan

IJAZ MUNIR
Additional Secretary
Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Department
Poonch House
38 - Multan Road
Lahore
Tel. No.: 00-92-042-9211647
Fax No.: 00-92-042-9210279
E-mail: [email protected]

Philippines

MALCOLM I. SARMIENTO Jr.
Director
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
860 Quezon Avenue, Arcadia Bldg.
Metro Manila
Tel. No.: +63-2 375057; 3737452
Fax No.: +63-2-3725048
E-mail: [email protected]

Sri Lanka

Thailand

SITDHI BOONYARATPALIN
Director-General
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5620523
Fax No.: +66-2-5620493
E-mail: [email protected]

JARANTHADA KARNASUTA
Deputy Director-General
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5620600-15
Fax No.: +66-2-5620493
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

SOMYING PIUMSOMBUN
Senior Fisheries Economics Expert
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5798094
Fax No.: +66-2-5620571
E-mail: [email protected]

SIRI TOOKWINAS
Senior Expert on Marine Shrimp Culture
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5798500
Fax No.: +66-2-5620971
E-mail: [email protected]

SUPRANEE CHINABUT
Senior Advisor on Fish Diseases
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5796803
Fax No.: +66-2-5613993
E-mail: [email protected]

WIMOL JANTRAROTAI
Senior Expert in International Fisheries Affairs
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-9-9686281
Fax No.: +66-2-5620530
E-mail: [email protected]

MALA SUPONGPAN
Director
Marine Fisheries Research and Technological Development Institute

Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Tel. No.: +66-2-5610880
Fax No.: +66-2-9406559
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

United Kingdom

United States of America

HENRY V. JARDINE
Consul
US Department of State
US Consulate General
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-053-252629
Fax No.: +66-053-252633
E-mail: [email protected]

SCOTT W. HANSEN
Vice Consul
US Department of State
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-053-252629
Fax No.: +66-053-252633

Viet Nam

NGUYEN VIET MANH
Deputy Director-General
International Cooperation Department
Ministry of Fisheries
10 Nguyen Cong Hoan
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Tel. No.: +84-04-7719608
Fax No.: +84-04-7716702
E-mail: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM A MEMBER COUNTRY

SOMPONG NIMCHUAR
Director, Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5798214
Fax No.: +66-2-5620530
E-mail: [email protected]

GOMUT UNSRISUNG
Director, Chiang Mai Inland Research and Development Center
Department of Fisheries
90 Mo 12 Tambon Nonghan
Amphur Somchai, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-053-498556
Fax No.: +66-053-498556
E-mail: [email protected]

WARAPORN PROMPOJ
Chief, International Cooperation Group
Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5628215
Fax No.: +66-2-5620529
E-mail: [email protected]

POUNGTHONG ONOORA
Chief, International Law Group
Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5611974
Fax No.: +66-2-5611974
E-mail: [email protected]

PRAULAI NOOTMORN
Acting Director of Andaman Sea Fisheries Research and Development Center
77 Tambon Vichit, Muang District
Phuket 83000, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-76-391198; 391140
Fax No.: +66-76-391139
E-mail: [email protected]

KOMKHAI LAWANYAWUT
Coastal Fisheries R & D Bureau
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5794496
Fax No.: +66-2-5794496
E-mail: [email protected]

SMITH THUMMACHUA
Senior Fishery Biologist
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5620529
Fax No.: +66-2-5620529
E-mail: [email protected]

PANAWON AWAIWANONT
Fishery Biologist
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5620529
Fax No.: +66-2-5620529
E-mail: [email protected]

LUKHANA KAENNAKUM
Fishery Biologist
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5620529
Fax No.: +66-2-5620529
E-mail: [email protected]

DOUNGPORN NA POMBEJRA
Legal Officer, International Law Group
Fisheries Foreign Affairs Division
Department of Fisheries
Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5611974
Fax No.: +66-2-5611974
E-mail: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM UN AGENCIES

Convention on Migratory Species/Indian Ocean-South East Asian Marine Turtle MoU

DOUGLAS HYKLE
Coordinator/Senior CMS Advisor
IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Secretariat
c/o UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-2881471
Fax No.: +66-2-2803829
E-mail: [email protected]

Regional Coordinating Unit for the East Asian Seas Action Plan (UNEP/COBSEA)

YIHANG JIANG
UNEP East Asian Seas Regional Coordinating Unit
UN Building, Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-2881860
Fax No.: +66-2-2812428
E-mail: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVENMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA)

BENEDICTO BAYAUA
Secretary-General, APRACA
Maliwan Mansion
39 Phra Athit Road, Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-6291962; 2800195
Fax No.: +66-2-2801524
E-mail: [email protected]

THANAWAN AMPAIPANVIJIT
Administrative Officer, APRACA
Maliwan Mansion
39 Phra Athit Road, Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-6291962; 280-0195
Fax No.: +66-2-2801524
E-mail: [email protected]

UNCHANA STEANE
Accountant, APRACA
Maliwan Mansion
39 Phra Athit Road, Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-6291962; 280-0195
Fax No.: +66-2-2801524
E-mail: [email protected]

Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-governmental Organization (BOBP IGO)

YUGRAJ YADAVA
Directora.i.
BOBP Inter-Governmental Organization
91 St. Mary's Road, Abhiramapuram
Chennai 600 018, India
Tel. No.: +091-44-24936294
Fax No.: +091-44-24936102
E-mail: [email protected]

Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services for Fishery Products in the Asia-Pacific Region (INFOFISH)

S. SUBASINGHE
Director
INFOFISH
P.O. Box 10899
50728 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel. No.: +603-26914466; 26914614
Fax No.: +603-26916804
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

Mekong River Commission (MRC
KHAMTANH VATTHANATHAM
Programme Officer
MRC Secretariat
P.O. Box 6101
Vientiane 01000
Lao PDR
Tel. No.: +856-21-263263
Fax No.: +856-21-263264
E-mail: [email protected]

Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA)

PEDRO BUENO
Director-General
Network of Aquaculture Centres for Asia-Pacific
Kasetsart University Campus
Bangkhen, Bangkok 10900
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-5611728
Fax No.: +66-2-5611730
E-mail: [email protected]

Partnership for Environmental Management in the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

CHUA THIA-ENG
Regional Program Director
PEMSEA
c/o DENR
P.O. Box 2502, Quezon City 1165
Philippines
Tel. No.: +63-2-9202211
Fax No.: +63-2-9269712
E-mail: [email protected]

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)

SURIYAN VICHITLEKARN
Policy and Program Coordinator
SEAFDEC Secretariat
Suraswadi Building
Kasetsart University Campus
P.O. Box 1046 Kasetsart University Post Office
Bangkok 10903, Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-9406326-9
Fax No.: +66-2-9406336
E-mail: [email protected]

MAGNUS TORELL
Senior Advisor
SEAFDEC
P.O. Box 1046 Kasetsart Post Office
Bangkok 10903
Thailand
Tel. No.: +66-2-9406326
Fax No.: +66-2-9406336
E-mail: [email protected]

WorldFish Center

CHOO POH SZE
Science and Policy Specialist
WorldFish Center
Jalan Batu Maung, Batu Maung
11960 Bayan Lepas
Penang, Malaysia
Tel. No.: +60-4-6202219
Fax No.: +60-4-6265690
E-mail: [email protected]

FAO

FISHERIES DEPARTMENT
(Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100, Rome, Italy)

JEAN-FRANÇOIS PULVENIS de SÉLIGNY
Director, Fishery Policy and Planning Division
E-mail:  [email protected]

BENEDICT SATIA
Chief, International Institutions and Liaison Service
Fishery Policy and Planning Division
E-mail: [email protected]

REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
(Maliwan Mansion, 39 Phra Athit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand)

DEREK STAPLES
Senior Fishery Officer and Secretary of APFIC
E-mail: [email protected]

SIMON FUNGE-SMITH
Aquaculture Officer
E-mail: [email protected]

SHUNJI SUGIYAMA
Associate Professional Officer (Fisheries Statistics)
E-mail: [email protected]

THEO VISSER
Consultant
E-mail: [email protected]

PORNSUDA DAVID
E-mail: [email protected]

KESARA AOTARAYAKUL
E-mail: [email protected]

C. LIST OF DOCUMENTS

A. Working documents:

B. Information Documents:

D. ADDRESSES BY SPEAKERS

Opening Remarks
by
Dr Jaranthada Karnasuta
Deputy-Director General, Department of Fisheries, Thailand

It is a great pleasure to welcome all the delegates of the Twenty-eighth Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. It is also a privilege for Thailand to host this important Commission meeting. APFIC has been known as an advisory body which was established in the region more than half a century ago. The functions and contributions of APFIC have been long serving and shown significant inputs to the Asia-Pacific region. One of the results of APFIC activities is the emerging of various Regional Fishery Bodies and/or arrangements, with more than 20 organizations, established since the early seventies. They are serving the region well in numerous fisheries activities. Nevertheless, though many Regional Fishery Bodies fulfilled their mission serving as management bodies, scientific bodies or advisory body, there are still some gaps to be addressed in fisheries management and sustainable development. And just recently, during the 69th APFIC Executive Committee meeting held in Pattaya, Thailand in mid-December last year, we discussed the future role of APFIC and how we can bridge the gap in the Regional Fishery Bodies' operations or on the issues that have not yet been covered. The role of APFIC as a Regional Consultative Body has been brought up in order to promote an integration of regional activities relating to fisheries. The idea to have first a Regional Consultative Forum has also been encouraged not only in the last executive committee meeting but also in the last APFIC meeting in the Philippines.

We all look forward to the reform of the new APFIC with respect to its responsibilities, arrangements and management of the fisheries sector in the Asia-Pacific region. The discussion on the direction and activities of APFIC during these three days will help us to come up with a tangible approach to make APFIC very functional and manageable. Some important issues in the region like small-scale fisheries, co-management, trash fish and other issues will also be taken up in the meeting for our fruitful discussion in order to reach some solutions or remedial measures for fisheries management, environmental management, resource conservation and sustainability.

Once again, I wish to welcome you all to the 28^th Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. And although the next few days will be long days of work, we have also made some arrangements for you to see our famous northern-Thai handicrafts and culture of the north. I hope you will find these enjoyable and wish you will all enjoy your stay in our beautiful Chiang Mai.

Thank you.

Welcome Address
by
Mr Kwanchai Wongnitikorn
Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, Thailand

It is indeed a great honour for Chiang Mai Province to be selected as the meeting venue of the Twenty-eighth Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. Allow me, on behalf of the people of Chiang Mai, to take this opportunity to extend our warm and sincere welcome to all the participants to Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North. Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity. The Province is situated on the Mae Ping River basin some 310 metres above sea level and surrounded by high mountain ranges, i.e. Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon. Today Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand. Furthermore, we are also proud to inform you that His Majesty the King has initiated the Huai Khrai Royal Development Study Center and other hill tribe development projects in Chiang Mai in order to solve both human and environmental problems by rehabilitating the local environment and at the same time improving the lives of the local residents. The results of these projects have made Chiang Mai the strategic center for Northern Thailand as well as an example of a systematic method of rural development that can be applied in other provinces throughout the country.

Even though Chiang Mai is not directly involved in this forum, we hope that the fruitful outcomes of the Session will be beneficial to our province.

I sincerely hope that your stay in Chiang Mai will be a pleasant and memorable one. If there is anything for which I may be of assistance to you during your stay in Chiang Mai, please do not hesitate to let me know. I wish you a successful session and fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.

Opening Statement
by
Mr Jean-François Pulvenis de Séligny
Director, Policy and Planning Division, FAO Fisheries Department

It is for me a great pleasure and an honour to be here, in this beautiful and historical city of Chiang Mai, the home of the Lanna Thai Kingdom, on the occasion of the Twenty-eighth Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission.

I bring with me the warm greetings of the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf, and of the Assistant Director-General of the Fisheries Department, Mr Ichiro Nomura, as well as their good wishes for a fruitful meeting.

I also wish to express FAO's sincere appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand for hosting this session of the Commission.

Since the Twenty-seventh Session, in September 2001, in Manila, there have been a number of significant developments in world fisheries, in the fisheries of the Asia-Pacific region and within your Commission. I wish to highlight four of them.

First, the Asia-Pacific region continues to be the world leader in terms of production from capture fisheries and aquaculture. This fact is well expounded on in the documents placed before you at this session. I wish to call your attention in particular to documents APFIC/04/3 and APFIC/04/Inf.8.

This is particularly important since, worldwide, fish provides more than 2.6 billion people with at least 20 percent of their average per capita animal protein intake, although consumption is not evenly distributed. Global production from capture fisheries and aquaculture supplied 101 million tonnes of food fish in 2002, which translates into an apparent per capita supply of 16.2 kg. There has been an increase in this per capita supply since 2000. This increase is mainly due to aquaculture. Global production from aquaculture continues to grow in volume and in terms of relative contribution to the world's supply of fish for direct human consumption. Production reached 51.4 million tons in 2002 and was 6.1 percent higher than in 2000.

The second development I wish to refer to is that, in addition to their role as a source of livelihood and food, fisheries in the region also contribute to economic growth. This contribution is quite significant in some countries. Exports of fish and fish products from the region have become a primary source of foreign exchange in several economies. The value of net exports for the region as a whole reached the equivalent of over US$ 23 billion in 2002. This amount is quite substantial when we observe that the total world trade in fish and fishery products increased to US$ 58.2 billion (export value) in 2002, up 5 percent relative to 2000.

The third development is the growing pressure that fisheries resources are facing, both worldwide and in the region. This pressure comes from many directions, which include excessive fleet capacity, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, introduction of new fishing technologies, natural population growth and migration as well as the impacts of urban and industrial development, including global climate change.

Globally, an estimated 9 to 10 percent of fish stocks have been depleted or are recovering from depletion. About 15 to 18 percent are overexploited, another 47 to 50 percent are fully exploited, and the remaining 25 to 27 percent are underexploited.

In the region, fisheries resources are under great stress. In the high sea areas, there is increased competition, particularly in tuna fisheries. As to coastal fisheries, many are over-exploited and many more have shown signs of depletion. Coastal and riparian zones have become more crowded, impact from local and inland development is significant, and the ability of fisheries resources to meet growing needs is becoming increasingly strained. Under these circumstances, the fisheries sector, which is labour intensive, pro-poor and growth stimulating, cannot contribute fully to economic development, food security and poverty reduction. Its contribution remains very much below its potential and this situation is likely to have serious consequences on the poor, as their options are the most limited and their vulnerability the greatest.

If this trend is to be reversed, States and all those involved should afford special attention to the sector through improvements in fisheries governance and through creating and maintaining a supportive environment and by addressing a number of key issues. These issues relate to the phenomenon of open access, overcapacity and over fishing, vulnerability of small-scale fishing communities, the enhancement of monitoring, control and surveillance including vessel monitoring systems, the combat of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as well as by effecting improvements in status and trends reporting. As to aquaculture, there is an increased need for ensuring sustainable aquaculture practices and development strategies, particularly the adoption of more environmentally friendly approaches.

One important element is to ensure the implementation of the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries as an essential step toward maintaining and restoring fish stocks at levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield in the near future. At the same time, it is important that States ensure full compliance with and implementation of other relevant international instruments including the 1992 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement.

All these issues have been central in the agenda of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and other international fora. Some have been regularly addressed by your Commission during its more than fifty years of existence. The draft agenda for this Session includes a number of these issues.

The fourth development I wish to refer to is related to the role APFIC is meant to play in the future. As you will recall, APFIC was born at a time of uncertainty, when the international community was still recovering from the havoc and devastation inflicted by the Second World War. The Commission adapted to subsequent changes with a sense of pragmatism. Its structure and functions have been kept under review and its constitutive agreement amended as the need arose.

In recent decades, the evolution of the international law of the sea and of the international law of the environment has led to the reaffirmed recognition by the international community of the vital function of regional cooperation in striving to achieve sustainable fisheries development. Not surprisingly, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1992 Agenda 21 and the global fisheries related instruments that were adopted later lay emphasis on the role of regional fishery bodies for the conservation and sustainable utilization of fisheries resources.

It is in this context that the Twenty-second Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, in March 1997, recommended that FAO regional fishery bodies be evaluated in depth by their members so that they could be strengthened and made more effective. This recommendation of COFI was reinforced by the FAO Conference at its Twenty-ninth Session in November 1997 by the adoption of Resolution 13/97 "Review of FAO Statutory Bodies". The Resolution, inter alia, stressed the importance of moving towards increased self-financing for statutory bodies with a regional focus and of enhancing the responsiveness of these bodies to the needs of their members.

It is most gratifying to observe that this Commission and its members have performed this review over the past six years. As a result, in December 2003, the APFIC Executive Committee has recommended that the Commission should alter its role and assume that of a Regional Consultative Body. In essence, the new APFIC would serve as a regional framework to promote integration of the regional activities relating to fisheries. The Executive Committee proposed the organization and conduction of a biennial Regional Consultative Forum. Through this Forum, the Commission would, among others, address trans-boundary issues and issues common to groups of countries in the region and serve as a facilitator - not as a supervisor - to ensure that activities of fishery bodies and arrangements in the region are coordinated so as to avoid duplication and optimize the use of the limited development assistance funds.

We may expect that this Session of the Commission will be devoted to that important issue and to consider the new role of APFIC.

As in the past, FAO is committed to provide its fullest support, but this support cannot but be only catalytic in nature - this was stressed in the opening speech made on behalf of the Organization by the FAO Representative in the Philippines during the Twenty-seventh Session. This point was also reinforced by the statement of my predecessor on that occasion, when he underlined that APFIC belongs first to its members, although it was established within the framework of FAO and is one of its statutory bodies. Consequently, in the end, it rests with you to reach an understanding at this session and later to ensure that whatever understanding is reached is implemented in your respective countries.

Before concluding this statement, I wish to thank the Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai for personally participating in this opening ceremony. On behalf of the participants and the Secretariat, I wish also to request him to convey our gratitude to the Government and to the people of the Kingdom of Thailand, for their wonderful hospitality as well as for the excellent facilities that they have provided.

I wish all of you a very constructive and successful Session.

Thank you.

Inaugural Address
by
Dr Sitdhi Boonyaratpalin
Director-General, Department of Fisheries, Thailand

It is a privilege and honor for me to be here today at the Opening Ceremony of the Twenty-eighth Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission. First of all, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I wish to congratulate the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission for its long success and continued service to the region.

The capture fisheries and aquaculture sectors are of fundamental importance to the Asia-Pacific region in terms of food security, revenue generation and employment. In many countries, catching or farming aquatic resources forms a vital part of rural people's livelihoods. In cultural terms, aquatic resources mean more than a mere source of income or food supply; traditional fishery products such as fish sauce and fish-based condiments are important ingredients of people's daily diet, which are not easily substituted. People utilize all sizes and types of fish and there is very little discard or wastage of this valuable resource. It is only now becoming apparent that fish play an important role in both the food security and nutritional security of many rural and coastal populations.

In terms of the production trends of fisheries and aquaculture, the Asia-Pacific region has been recognized as the world's largest producer of fish for decades. A recent FAO report shows that global capture fisheries and aquaculture production have contributed on average 130 million metric tons for world consumption. For capture fisheries, production in the year 2002 showed as much as 45 million metric tons or nearly 50 percent of global capture fisheries production. In this regard, out of the top ten producers of capture fisheries in the world, five states come from the Asia-Pacific areas, namely China, Indonesia, Japan, India, and Thailand. For aquaculture, this region is by far the world's largest contributor to world aquaculture, producing 47 million metric tons or 91 percent of global aquaculture production. Nevertheless, with the significant contribution of fish food in the region to the world, there are still many common trends that will have a large impact on the future supply of fish. One alarming trend that we should be aware of is the rapid decline in the status of coastal fishery resources and ecosystems throughout the region.

In the Asia-Pacific region, fisheries management on the basis of sustainability should be a primary focus and a number of activities and appropriate measures should be urgently established. Some fisheries management activities have been conducted to cope with the problems of concern to various Regional Fisheries Bodies in the region such as Bay of Bengal, IGO and SEAFDEC. However, even with these activities, there are still some gaps that need to be covered.

Concerning the problems by the Asia-Pacific region, we are quite fortunate to have APFIC as an advisory body to assist in filling this gap, particularly on the issues that have not been thoroughly explored. The issue on capture fisheries; particularly small scale-fisheries; seems to be an issue that APFIC could help in coming to a better understanding of and suggesting improved fisheries management measures or practices. APFIC could also help us in bridging other issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region for the betterment of fisheries management towards sustainability of resources. Practical Code or Code of Practice for capture fisheries should also be identified and conducted regionally so that common resources will be utilized in a sustainable manner. Trade and information gathering are also important issues that need to be well addressed. Moreover, at the start of the new century, food safety has been given lots of attention in global food consumption, particularly by the buying or developed countries such as the European Union, the United States, Japan, and even some countries in Africa. Some producing countries mostly in Asia like Thailand, put more emphasis on food safety issues of agricultural products including fisheries products. In this regard, seafood products safety would certainly be another dimension of world interest, at least in the next decade for fisheries and related industries.

Last, but not least, I hope the Twenty-eighth Session of Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission held in Chiang Mai in the next few days will be a fruitful meeting bringing us an efficient and effective cooperation programme among APFIC member countries for the betterment of fisheries in the region. I wish you all the best and have a pleasant stay in Chiang Mai.

I now declare the Twenty-eighth Session of the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission open.

Thank you.

E. DEFINITION OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES

(Drawn from the REPORT OF SECOND SESSION OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES RESEARCH, Bangkok, Thailand, 18 - 21 November 2003. FAO Fisheries Report No. 735 FIPL/R735 (En))

A VISION FOR SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES

The vision for small-scale fisheries is one in which their contribution to sustainable development is fully realized. It is a vision where:

- they are not marginalized and their contribution to national economies and food security is recognized, valued and enhanced;

- fishers, fish workers and other stakeholders have the ability to participate in decision making, are empowered to do so, and have increased capability and human capacity, thereby achieving dignity and respect; and

- poverty and food insecurity do not persist; and where the social, economic and ecological systems are managed in an integrated and sustainable manner, thereby reducing conflict.

Definition of Small-scale Fisheries^[1]

The Working Party agreed that it would be inappropriate to formulate a universally applicable definition for a sector as dynamic and diverse as small-scale fisheries. It felt that it would be best to describe the sector on the basis of the range of characteristics that are likely to be found in any particular small-scale fishery. The

Working Party endorsed with slight modification the characterization that was used by the FAO Committee on Fisheries at its Twenty-fifth Session which is as follows:

"Small-scale fisheries can be broadly characterized as a dynamic and evolving sector employing labour intensive harvesting, processing and distribution technologies to exploit marine and inland water fishery resources. The activities of this sub-sector, conducted fulltime or part-time, or just seasonally, are often targeted on supplying fish and fishery products to local and domestic markets, and for subsistence consumption. Export-oriented production, however, has increased in many small-scale fisheries during the last one to two decades because of greater market integration and globalization. While typically men are engaged in fishing and women in fish processing and marketing, women are also known to engage in nearshore harvesting activities and men are known to engage in fish marketing and distribution.

Other ancillary activities such as net-making, boat-building, engine repair and maintenance etc. can provide additional fishery-related employment and income opportunities in marine and inland fishing communities. Small-scale fisheries operate at widely differing organizational levels ranging from self-employed single operators through informal micro-enterprises to formal sector businesses.

This sub-sector, therefore, is not homogenous within and across countries and regions and attention to this fact is warranted when formulating strategies and policies for enhancing its contribution to food security and poverty alleviation."

F. WORK PLAN

a) Regional Consultative Forum activities 2004-2006

APFIC Website

The APFIC Secretariat will continue to develop and update its website. The website has been designed to inform Members and other interested parties about fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific. In particular it provides regional information (and statistics, where available) on aquaculture small-scale fisheries, inland fisheries and industrial fisheries. The website will also provide easy access to information relating to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its implementation. As an information portal, the website provides links to other sub-regional organizations and projects that impact on fisheries and aquaculture in the region. It will continue to promote the importance of fisheries in the region and provide a sound platform for informed policy development and decision making.

Publications

APFIC will continue to publish reports and articles informing Members and other interested parties about the status, trends and potential of aquaculture and fisheries in the region. In particular, it will focus on the issues and management of small-scale coastal and inland fisheries and aquaculture sustainable development and their interrelationships with industrial fisheries and other sectors.

Consultative workshop on "Trash fish"

As "Trash Fish" is one of the regional issues affecting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in the region, it is felt that the interaction between capture fisheries, "trash fish" and aquaculture needs to be examined in greater detail. It is proposed therefore, that a Regional Workshop on Trash Fish and aquaculture be organized by APFIC tentatively in February 2005.

Consultative workshop on Co-management in coastal and inland fisheries

Co-management has been promoted as a means to implement better fisheries management in the region. This has been accompanied by a large policy change promoting decentralization of government authorities in many States of the region. Up until recently, attempts at co-management has largely been implemented under a range of donor-funded projects. To "main-stream" co-management into national policies and fisheries management, APFIC is planning to hold a major workshop to review lessons learnt by the different projects and interventions and provide guidelines for "best practice".

b) Proposed work schedule of the Regional Consultative Forum Meeting

In order to provide an integrating mechanism for APFIC to play such a role effectively, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Commission at its present Session the adoption of the Regional Consultative Forum meeting as its main event amongst the activities of APFIC.

This document proposes the work plan to be carried out by the Secretariat commencing 2004 leading up to the first Regional Consultative Forum meeting in 2006.

The work plan takes note of the Biennial Meeting of COFI (currently in February/March of alternate years) held concurrently with the FAO Meetings of RFBs. The timing is based on the ability of APFIC to provide inputs arising out of its Forum into the preparatory stages for the 26th (and subsequent) session(s) of COFI.

The Commission agreed that the following activities would be undertaken leading up to the Regional Consultative Forum Meeting in 2006.

(i) The secretariat would undertake an e-mail based conference to enable the preparation of some input for the forthcoming 26^th Session of COFI (Scheduled February 2005).

(ii) The APFIC secretariat will arrange a short meeting with APFIC members participating in the COFI meeting in Rome. This will take place immediately prior to the COFI meeting to enable a review of the Commissions recommendations and the agenda items of particular interest to the commission's members.

(iii) Following the COFI session, the Secretariat reports the outcome of the APFIC 28^th Session to the Regional Fishery Bodies Meeting (held immediately post-COFI).

(iv) The Secretariat informs Members, all regional and sub-regional organizations and arrangements with relevance to fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region of the proposal for the Regional Consultative Forum meeting and invites their participation and suggestions for the agenda of the forum. Where practical, the Secretariat should meet with other interested parties and gain support.

(v) The APFIC Secretariat contributes to the collection and dissemination of quality fishery data and information, particular as they relate to 'small-scale fisheries' and build awareness of the importance of sharing information and experiences among member countries.

(vi) The newly completed APFIC website will be used to provide a platform for the dissemination and exchange of information. The Secretariat will commission work in support of the First Regional Consultative Forum meeting and implement any Ad hoc working groups that may be required.

(vii) The Seventieth Session of the Executive Committee of APFIC meets in June/July 2005 to review (i) the report of the 28^th Session, (ii) the report of the COFI meeting (ii) preparations for, development of the agenda of, and the modus operandi for the First Regional Consultative Forum, and (iii) work of any ad hoc working groups. The Executive Committee also develops the agenda for the 29^th Session of the Commission.

(viii) The First Regional Consultative Forum meeting is scheduled to be held in August 2006. The immediately ensuing 29^th Session of APFIC will consider additional matters raised by the Members and their reaction to the recommendations from the forum which may serve as a basis for the development of APFIC recommendations to COFI and the FAO RFB meeting.

(ix) The Secretariat develops the draft report and recommendations of the forum (which may include high priority activities for the Commission's ad hoc working groups). The proceedings of the forum should be published as quickly as feasible. The draft report and recommendations of the forum are circulated to all Members for comments.

The cycle of preparation for the Regional Consultative Forum and reporting is repeated until 2011.

c) APFIC timetable for biennial Consultative Forum Meetings and APFIC Sessions

Meetings of the Forum should be organized to facilitate reporting to the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) and the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC). The following tentative schedule is proposed:

2003-2004

· 69^th APFIC Executive Committee Meeting - December 2003 (Pattaya, Thailand)

· 28^th Session of APFIC - August 2004 (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

· E-conference pre-preparatory for COFI (September 2004)

· Pre-COFI Briefing meeting with APFIC members participating in COFI 7 March 2005 (Rome, Italy)

· 26^th COFI Session - 7-11 March 2005 (Rome, Italy)

· Secretariat participates in Regional Fisheries Bodies Meeting ~12 March 2005 (Rome, Italy)

2005-2006

· 70^th APFIC Executive Committee Meeting - June/July 2005

· FAO Asia-Pacific Regional Conference Session - May 2006 (subject to confirmation)

· First APFIC Regional Consultative Forum Meeting - August 2006 and 29^th Session of APFIC, August 2006 (Malaysia - subject to confirmation)

· 27^th COFI Session - February/March 2007 (Rome, Italy)

· Secretariat participates in Regional Fisheries Bodies Meeting ~12 March 2005 (Rome, Italy)

2007-2009

· 71^st APFIC Executive Committee Meeting - June/July 2007

· APRC Session - May 2008

· Second APFIC Regional Consultative Forum, August 2008 and 30th Session of APFIC, August 2008

· 28^th COFI Session - February/March 2009 (Rome, Italy)

2009-2011

· 72^nd APFIC Ex Co. June/July 2009

· Third APFIC Regional Consultative Forum, August 2009 and 31^st Session of the Commission, August 2009 which will inter alia evaluate its past performance and consider, as appropriate, its future options

· 29^th COFI Session - February/March 2011